How Telco Giants Will Bring RCS Business Messaging to the UK

Leading mobile operators Three UK and Virgin Media O2 have announced a partnership with cloud communications platform Sinch to make RCS Business Messaging (RBM) available on iOS for their customers.
Sinch, which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its digital Customer Communications Cloud announces that RCS Business Messaging (RBM) is now available on iOS for Three UK and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2).
Now available on Apple devices like iPhones and iPads, RBM was previously only available to Android based phones and devices.
The announcement comes shortly after Three UK introduced support for regular Rich Communications Services (RCS) to coincide with the iOS 18.2 update from Apple. This means that RBM users will be able to benefit from personalised two-way interactions, in addition to new interactive features and secure communications.
“This is what the future of messaging looks like,” said Nicklas Molin, Executive Vice President of EMEA at Sinch.
Improving customer interactions
RBM is already transforming the way businesses connect with their audiences. The technology can offer a range of features that extend traditional SMS capabilities.
This includes engaging multimedia content to seamless two-way conversations, where RCS is able to empower businesses to deliver more personalised interactions to customers. As a result, they can improve customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Three UK and VMO2’s adoption of RBM on iOS is designed to offer businesses improved opportunities to engage with customers, including through Mobile Virtual Network Operations (MVNOs) like Tesco Mobile and Giffgaff.
RCS is able to redefine communication with more interactive experiences, including videos and branded content that customers can engage with and explore in more detail.
This gives businesses an opportunity to provide more real-time personalised experiences that are more effortless on all sides.
Likewise, RBM is designed to offer greater security for users. It includes verified sender identities, branded messages and built-in security features that provide users with greater reassurance.
Three UK and VMO2 see opening up RBM for messaging on Apple devices as a significant opportunity for business to reach a range of mobile phone customers in the same mobile inbox where they receive SMS messages.
“Partnering with Three UK and Virgin Media O2 is a big step forward in delivering richer, more engaging interactions between businesses and their customers,” Nicklas adds.
“Together we are making it easier than ever for brands to connect with people in ways that feel personal, secure and impactful.”
Transforming message technology
As a global leader in RCS enablement since 2018, Sinch has found itself at the forefront of empowering enterprises and carriers to unlock the potential of this transformational technology.
With its robust API-driven platform and SaaS solutions, the company is able to make it simpler for companies to integrate RCS into their digital communication strategies and deliver exceptional customer experiences at scale.
Mobile Magazine spoke exclusively with Robert Gerstmann, Co-Founder & Chief Evangelist of Sinch, who emphasised how RCS will transform brand-consumer interactions.
“For companies like Sinch that specialise in messaging services, Apple’s adoption of RCS presents a massive opportunity,” he explained. “As more brands embrace RCS, Sinch’s services will become even more critical in helping businesses navigate this richer communication landscape.
“Sinch will likely continue to innovate and expand its services to meet the increasing demand for interactive, real-time and secure customer messaging solutions.”
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